Ableton’s powerful control surface for Live has transformed the way people use the software to create music, allowing rapid and tactile manipulation of sounds and instruments. This course explores a number of creative Push workflow ideas that begin in different ways but all result in the construction of original rhythmic or melodic parts.

Kicking off with three groove modules, the tutorials show how various drum samples can be used as starting points, which go in their own totally unique directions, whilst a default synth preset is easily transformed into a versatile FX loop. The focus then moves onto melodic part creation, showing how to turn chord shapes into the foundations of a track, from which all harmonies and basslines can be made, and how to extract notes from a chord oneshot sample for resampling and sequencing. The last melodic module then teaches how to make vocoded sounds, before the course ends by showing all the ways in which a single sample can be shaped to make a wide range of both percussive and melodic sounds.

As well as learning the workflow techniques themselves, Producertech senior tutor Rob Jones explains a wealth of other considerations along the way, from music theory principles to sonic mixing characteristics. There are also tutorials that go into detail on various effects in the Live collection, including Grain Delay and a number of MIDI effects.

In addition to the streamed tutorials, which are accessible 24/7/365, the course comes with the Live projects made in the lessons, as well as a 100MB bonus samples pack from Loopmasters. Before signing up, check out the free sample modules on the course page, for an example of the lesson content and delivery.

Sample Module

Module 1 - Groove Workflow I - Drum Loop

A guide to extracting one sound from a loop and using it as the basis for a new rhythmic track.

Module 2 - Groove Workflow II - Sound Design

Teaches how to use a synth to create a rhythmic part, which can become a subtle groove element or a more dominant lead.

Module 3 - Groove Workflow III - Resampling

A more creative workflow, which starts with a drum hit from the Live library and uses a process or processing and resampling to create an original groove.

Module 4 - Melodic Workflow I - Chord Shape

A series of 5 lessons for coming up with chord shapes, then developing them into various melodic parts, including leads and basslines.

• Lesson 1 - Making the Chord
• Lesson 2 - Chord Effect
• Lesson 3 - Scale Effect
• Lesson 4 - Making a Riff
• Lesson 5 - Making a Bassline

Module 5 - Melodic Workflow II - Chord Sample

Starting with a oneshot chord sample, a process of harmony extraction, resampling and resequencing with a drum rack is employed to make an engaging hook.

• Lesson 1 - Extracting and Resampling
• Lesson 2 - Editing and Sequencing

Module 6 - Melodic Workflow III - Vocoded

A workflow for making various vocoded sounds, which are reworked, layered and manipulated to create more complex parts.

• Lesson 1 - Making the Chord Riff
• Lesson 2 - Making the Vocoded Loop
• Lesson 3 - Resampling I
• Lesson 4 - Resampling II

Module 7 - Sample Development Workflow I

A workflow that shows how to get the most out of a sample, using it to make a number of different percussive and melodic sounds.

Module 8 - Sample Development Workflow II

The concluding lesson, which takes the groove made in the previous module and adds a melody and bassline to it.